Mary Lou meets Laois Sinn Féin TD and Bord na Móna boss on Offaly bog

Sinn Féin’s Party Leader Mary Lou McDonald and Darren O’Rourke Spokesperson on Climate and Energy were accompanied by Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley to meet with senior management of Bord na Móna at Mount Lucas this week.

Dep Stanley explained why his party leader was on Offaly site.

"The purpose of the meeting and visit was for the Sinn Fein leadership to discuss with Bord na Móna developments in renewal energy, waste recovery and the circular economy and also progress  the company are making with their carbon sequestration (carbon sink) project, " he said.

A statement said Sinn Féin was anxious to discuss the roll that Bord na Mona can play with helping the State to meet obligations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for further job creation in this sector, in particular in the Midland region.

The Sinn Féin TD said the CEO of Bord na Móna Tom Donnellan outlined that the company wants to provide one third of the total energy needs for households in the State by 2030. He said they are also working towards using 80,000 hectares of bogland for the sequestration of 100million tonnes of carbon per annum.

Sinn Féin say the Bord na Mona boss also gave details of the company’s progress in the ‘Circular Economy’ such as their progress in waste recovery and waste recycling. This now includes reuse of tyres, plastic, metals and organic waste, where Bord na Mona are turning these into other products.

Brian Stanley said the meeting was useful.

“The meeting was beneficial and was a useful exchange of information. We discussed the issues that need to be addressed and policy changes needed to allow the State-owned company to play a central roll in the green economy. Bord na Mona currently have one and a half thousand employed and they aim to increase this over the next few years by 500 more employees. This will be of great benefit in Laois and Offaly which are two counties that have been impacted most by the end of peat harvesting,’’ he said.

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Darren O’Rourke Sinn Féin spokesperson on Energy and the Environment was also at the meeting which was also attended by Sharon Doyle HR Manager, Bord na Mona.